Whereas many Brits contemplate themselves assured drivers, that doesn’t imply they aren’t responsible of believing and following a couple of false guidelines on the highway.
Over the previous three months, searches for ‘is driving barefoot unlawful’ and ‘can you utilize water as a substitute of coolant’ have elevated by 50% and 49%, respectively.
However driving myths aren’t simply easy misunderstandings, they’ll in some circumstances be unsafe and incur potential fines.
So, to assist motorists separate reality from fiction, the automotive specialists at Vertu have analysed search information to disclose and debunk 4 of the commonest driving myths.
Each month, over 5,000 Brits search to see whether or not driving barefoot is illegitimate. The excellent news for these with a penchant for driving with out sneakers is that it isn’t unlawful. However that doesn’t essentially imply it’s secure to do, both.
Carrying smart footwear is far safer than driving barefoot. Put on flat, thin-soled sneakers that allow you to really feel the pedals extra simply. And ensure your sneakers can’t slip off your toes simply, in order that they don’t grow to be a distraction when driving.
Additionally, all the time keep away from sporting excessive heels, flip-flops, or heavy boots when driving as they make it a lot tougher to regulate your automotive.
Fable: You need to use water as a substitute of coolant
When your automotive is overheating, it may be tempting to make use of water as a substitute of correct coolant. Nonetheless, water lacks anti-corrosive components which is able to trigger rust in your engine, resulting in leaks and injury.
Nonetheless, in an emergency the place water is your solely choice, use distilled water. Not like faucet water, which incorporates minerals that may hurt your engine, distilled water has no impurities. As soon as the emergency is over, flush out all of the water and refill it with coolant. If you’re nervous in regards to the situation of your automotive after utilizing water as a coolant, then you need to get a summer season test.
To be sure to don’t get caught out or have to make use of distilled water, preserve some engine coolant within the boot of your automotive for emergencies.
Fable: You may’t eat and drive
Legally talking, there’s nothing stopping you from consuming and driving. Nonetheless, in case your snacking turns into a distraction, it may very well be thought-about careless driving. If you’re discovered to be driving carelessly, you may be dealt a hefty £100 on-the-spot wonderful and three factors in your licence.
If you happen to do get the urge to snack, keep away from messy meals that might steal your consideration from the highway. If that’s al you could have, then it’s most likely finest to tug over and eat whereas parked.
Fable: You may drive with a cracked windscreen
Whereas there isn’t a selected regulation on cracked windscreens, it’s a motoring offence if the crack obstructs your view. If caught, you may face a £100 wonderful and obtain three factors in your driver’s licence.
In keeping with MOT guidelines, your windscreen should not have any greater than 40mm of injury wherever. Even a 10mm crack immediately within the driver’s line of imaginative and prescient can lead to MOT failure.
If you happen to’re driving with a cracked windscreen and get into an accident, you would possibly face extra extreme driving fees. The accident may very well be thought-about your duty as you had impaired visibility.
There you could have it, the 4 most searched-for driving myths debunked.
